by Steve Pinder
Spa travelled to the Bristol suburbs to take on Mangotsfield United, a side they had beaten 2-0 at Kingys just seven weeks earlier. The mission was clear: complete the double and put an end to a run of three consecutive defeats.

The Saltmen made a positive start at Mangotsfield’s excellent Cossham Street ground, settling quickly onto the 4G surface and moving the ball around with some neat, purposeful football. Gradually, Spa’s midfield engine room began to take control, and although a number of half-chances came and went, home goalkeeper Ellis Parker was rarely troubled.

George Dalton and Sam Hurdman looked lively, while Alex Dugmore was his usual combative self, making life thoroughly uncomfortable for the Mangoes defenders in and around their penalty area.

However, the biggest talking point of the opening half came in the 30th minute when Mangotsfield’s number four, Mircea Ilea, was shown a red card for a stamp on Dugmore. The centre-back departed clutching his shoulder in some discomfort, although the referee appeared unmoved by his plight.

Things went from bad to worse for the home side ten minutes later when the impressive Archie Morris suffered what looked to be a nasty ankle injury after falling awkwardly. The United number six needed assistance from teammates and club officials to leave the field, receiving a sympathetic round of applause from the home supporters and the small but perfectly proportioned travelling contingent of Droitwich fans.

On the pitch, however, Spa were in no mood for sympathy. Within 60 seconds, some excellent work from Dugmore saw the Spa striker slip a short pass into George Dalton, who calmly finished past Parker to give the visitors a deserved lead.

With five minutes of the second half played, the ten men of Mangotsfield suddenly found themselves with space and numbers inside the Spa penalty area. A lunging challenge from a Spa defender (no names, please) gave the referee little option but to point to the spot. Mangoes captain Lewis Powell stepped up and confidently dispatched the penalty to restore parity.

Worse was to follow. Three minutes later, a rejuvenated United found Will Ashton completely unmarked and enjoying more space than anyone should reasonably be allowed in the Spa penalty area. He made no mistake, confidently beating the helpless Dom Rogerson to put the ten men ahead.

Stung into action, Droitwich gradually regained control of midfield and began to build some sustained pressure. Strong running, combined with a relentless supply of crosses into the box, had the home defence increasingly on the back foot.

On 76 minutes, the pressure finally told. Alex Dugmore got across his marker to meet a cross at the near post and powered home a bullet-like header to register his seventh goal in the last six games. At 2-2, the Saltmen were back in business.

With all three points firmly in their sights, Spa pushed forward in search of a winner. The bombardment continued, but the Mangotsfield defence stood firm. Recognising that Droitwich were committing increasing numbers forward, the hosts looked for opportunities on the counter-attack.

Their patience paid off in the 83rd minute. A swift break caught the Spa defence stretched, and some desperate last-ditch defending resulted in another clear penalty award. This time, half-time substitute George Neill took responsibility and made no mistake, giving Rogerson no chance and restoring the home side’s lead.

The final seven minutes were frantic. Spa threw new signing Lewis Moseley into the action and proceeded to throw everything they had at Mangotsfield. Unfortunately, nothing would break the home side’s resolve.

Referee Liam Beames eventually brought proceedings to a close. He and his assistants had enjoyed a good afternoon, getting the major decisions right throughout.

The Droitwich players were understandably devastated at the final whistle, but it would be difficult to suggest that anyone had enjoyed a poor afternoon. Every player gave everything for the cause, playing their hearts (and lungs) out in the process.

Ultimately, football can be a cruel game. To play for so long against ten men, fight back from behind and then concede a late penalty winner was a bitter pill to swallow.

If effort, commitment and application were all that mattered, the Saltmen would be occupying a rather more interesting position towards the business end of the table. Unfortunately, the league table doesn’t award points for those qualities alone.